Crimson Peak: Movie Review

Guillermo del Toro’s “Crimson Peak” is not a horror film, although it has horror elements. It is visually stunning and includes thrilling moments but for the most part, I found myself utterly bored. I wanted to love it so badly but by half-way through the end could not arrive soon enough. I know there will be many who will absolutely love “Crimson Peak” and I wouldn’t be surprised if those same individuals considered it one of their favorite del Toro films. It’s just not for everyone.

Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is an aspiring author, who loves to write stories that uses ghosts as metaphors. It might have something to do with her being haunted by them after the death of her mother. When the mysterious Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) arrives in town seeking an investment from Edith’s father (Jim Beaver), he winds up taking a fancy to her as well. Little does Edith know that Thomas and his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) have some not-so-nice plans for her.

After the murder of Edith’s father, she winds up marrying Thomas and moving into his home where Lucille also resides. The house is sinking and the clay mines below are oozing up through the floorboards. the roof had totally rotted and leaves continually fall into the home. This definitely isn’t a nice place to live.

We know that the house is plagued with ghosts and that Thomas and Lucille have sinister plans for Edith. The problem is that it is all way too predictable and the performances are laughably over-the-top. Admittedly, Chastain does have some fun with the role. The film’s best sequence comes in the final act out in the clay-covered snow, but by that time, I had completely lost interest.

By: Marc Ferman